III. Regulations on Standards of Academic Rights, Freedom, and Responsibility
A. Preliminary Consideration
The Academic Faculty and the Student Association of Keuka College believe that the highest standards of academic integrity must be maintained at every point in the course of study. In order to promote these standards of academic integrity and to ensure their attainment in a manner that protects the academic freedom and responsibility of the instructor and the academic rights and freedoms of the students, the Regulations on Standards of Academic Rights, Freedom, and Responsibility are established.
B. Standards of Academic Rights, Freedom, and Responsibility of the Instructor
1. The instructor is responsible for the clear definition and identification of all academic standards of performance that apply in each course. The instructor shall indicate in writing at the beginning of the course what standards govern the work involved, including objectives and requirements of the course, subject matter and procedures of instruction, and standards. The instructor shall present the subject matter of the course as announced to the students and as approved by the Faculty. The instructor shall make every effort to ensure that all members of the class understand both the standards involved and the reasons for their necessity and applicability.
2. The instructor is responsible for the promotion and preservation of opportunities and conditions conducive to teaching and learning. The instructor is responsible in the classroom and in conference to engage in and encourage free discussion, inquiry, expression, capacity of critical judgment, and sustained and independent search for truth. This implies that the student is free to take exception to the data or views offered in any course and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion.
3. The instructor is responsible to evaluate student performance in the course solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. The instructor is responsible for fair and equitable treatment of all students in all respects of the teacher/student relationship. Information about student views, beliefs, and
political associations that the instructor acquires in the course of the teacher/student relationship should be considered confidential.
4. The instructor is responsible for the clear identification of all standards that apply in each course regarding academic integrity. The instructor shall indicate at the beginning of the course and at all crucial assignments or examinations precisely what standards of academic integrity govern the work involved. Sound educational practice requires that the instructor and the students discuss the reasons for the appropriate standards in a manner that promotes the students' understanding and acceptance of them. The instructor and the students in each class are jointly responsible for determining the best method of enforcing the appropriate standards of academic integrity. Depending upon the nature of the standards involved, the instructor and the students in the class may agree to accept an honor code, which entails mutual responsibility, or proctoring by the instructor, or some other alternative.
5. In all matters pertaining to academic rights, freedom, and responsibility, the additional guidelines to be used and followed are set forth in the Statement on Professional Ethics, the Statement on Freedom and Responsibility, and the Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students, formulated by the AAUP and adopted by the Faculty and the Board of Trustees of the College.
C. Academic Rights, Freedom, and Responsibility of the Student
1. The student is responsible for cooperating with the instructor to promote, in the classroom and in conference, an atmosphere conducive to teaching and learning, free discussion, inquiry, and expression.
2. The student is responsible for knowing and maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which the student is enrolled.
3. The student is responsible for learning the content of any course in which the student is enrolled.
4. The student is responsible for evaluation of the instructor's performance in the course solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Information about an instructor's views, beliefs, and political associations that the student acquires in the course of the student/teacher relationship should be considered confidential.
5. In all matters pertaining to the academic rights and freedoms of the students, the additional guidelines to be used and followed are those set forth in the Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students, adopted by the Student Association, the Faculty, and the Board of Trustees of the College.
D. Violation of Academic Responsibility and Integrity by the Student
When a student is alleged to have violated the standards of academic performance of the course, the instructor and the student will make every attempt to resolve the matter in a fashion that promotes and protects the growing responsibility of the student, the rights and freedoms of the student, and the academic freedom and responsibility of the instructor. Within these limits, it is, in the final analysis, the responsibility of the instructor to determine, justify, and prove that a violation of standards on academic performance has occurred, and to determine the nature of the appropriate action. In taking an appropriate disciplinary action, the instructor is limited to the academic standing of the student in the course. The instructor shall inform the student, in writing, of the reasons for the disciplinary action. The student has the right to appeal the decision.
Disciplinary actions of a nonacademic nature do not fall within the limits of responsibility of the instructor.
E. Violation of Academic Rights, Freedom, and Responsibility by the Instructor
When an instructor is alleged to have violated the standards of academic rights, freedom, and responsibility, as set forth in Regulation 2, the student shall meet with the instructor in an attempt to resolve the matter in a manner that promotes and protects the academic rights, freedom, and responsibility of both the student and the instructor. It is the responsibility of the student to justify and prove that a violation of standards on academic performance has occurred. If appropriate, the meeting with the instructor shall include all students in the course who allege that a violation has occurred. If these attempts to resolve the matter fail, the student(s) may appeal to the division chairperson. The chairperson will confer with all parties in an attempt to mediate a successful resolution. If the matter cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the student(s), the student(s) may submit in writing the alleged violation to the Associate Vice President for Academic Programs. If two or more students are involved in the allegation, each shall submit an individual statement of the violation. This appeal to the Associate Vice President for Academic Programs must be made no later than two weeks after the last attempt to resolve the matter with the instructor, and with the division chairperson.
With cases determined to warrant further consideration, the Associate Vice President for Academic Programs will convene the Academic Review Board within ten working days after receiving such appeal. After conducting a thorough hearing and review of the evidence (not to exceed two weeks’ time), the Academic Review Board will render the decision in writing and communicate it to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, who will inform the student in writing of the Board’s decision within five working days after its receipt, with copies sent to the student(s), instructor, and division chairperson.